Robert William Von Willer, Jr.  was born on January 26, 1942 in Indianapolis, Indiana and was the oldest of five children of Robert William Von Willer (1921 - 2007) and Virginia M. Von Willer (1921 – 2010).  Von Willer, Sr., served in the US Marine Corps and moved his family to the Spring Valley/Lemon Grove area of San Diego immediately after WWII. Bob Von Willer, Jr., graduated from Mt. Miguel High School in 1960, and married JoEllen Rhodes in 1961. Bob started his career working for his father's general contracting company, RW Von Willer, Inc.  Bob helped build the Jack Murphy San Diego Stadium, and most of the high rise buildings in San Diego and Los Angeles during the 1960's and 1970's. In November 1969, Bob formed the Fleet Club with John Sommerfeld and published their first newsletter. Bob always had a love for flying and aircraft and built his first personal aircraft in the garage of his home on Citronella Street in Lemon Grove. 

Through the years, Bob had accumulated many aircraft parts and formed the Exotic Aircraft Company in El Cajon, specializing in the restoration of antique aircraft, including warbirds. He restored an antique Japanese aircraft for the president of SONY Corporation and worked with Gene Hackman and Cliff Robertson on their antique aircraft, as well.  He was an appraiser, dealer, expert collector, and mechanic for thirty years. Bob passed away from cancer on December 28, 2010. He had one daughter, Kimberly Ann Von Willer - Bales, who helped him with his antique aircraft restoration business.  She also passed away from cancer on July 11, 2015.

Link to the Descriptive Finding Guide.